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Monday, December 21, 2009

Veggie Pohe

Parched rice or poha is one of my favorite comfort food. I love it with a lot of veggies and roasted peanuts. If you need a really filling meal in just ten minutes , then Pohe is the way to go.... :). Tamil families have been preparing sweet and savory avul (thats tamil for pohe). My paati and amma make a very yummy parched rice dish in tamarind pulp garnish. This breakfast or brunch item is called puli avul (similar to puliodarai). Avul payasam or just washed avul soaked in warm milk is a common vrath (religious ritual) food. I love the Maharashtrian style pohe with finely chopped vegetables and groundnut. I had to include the recipe for a Non desi friend..I told her that she could find it on google but she insisted that I write down my version (I dont think i have one though!)

Once the veggies are done, add the washed pohe and roasted peanuts and mix well

Mix lightly (to avoid mashing the pohe and veggies) until Pohe soaks up the turmeric and salt well

Once done, squeeze in the lemon juice and garnish with finely chopped cilantro/fresh coriander

You are ready to serve! Enjoy maadi

How its made!
Parched rice finds its way into every cuisine which has rice as one of its staple food. Paddy is cleaned after harvest, boiled and flattened (beaten) to yield Parched rice. Parced rice is also called beaten or flattened rice.

Popular Legend
Use of parched rice in India dates back to mythological times (not sure of the exact CE dates) and is said to be one of the favourites of Lord Kirshna. It is believed that as a child, in his gurukula, Sri Krishna was out herding the ashram cows. Sudama, Krishna's classmate, had accompanied him on this trip. Krishna and Sudama got caught in severe storm and were held up in the forest all through the evening. Sudama was scared but found solace and strength in Krishna's presence.

Image Source:ranchorprime.com

Both grew up and went their way after passing out of Gurukula. Krishna went on to rule Dwaraka and Sudama remained a poor brahmin with a family to support. After a long deliberation with his wife, Sudama decided to meet Krishna. Sudama's poverty did not allow him to buy any expensive gifts for his friend, who was now the King of Dwaraka. Sudama borrowed a handful of parched rice from a neighbour, and set out to meet Krishna. As soon as he reached Dwaraka, Krishna welcomed him with a lot of fanfare.

Image source: images.exoticindiaart.com

Then Krishna noticed a small bundle on Sudama's waist and asked if he had brought him a gift. Sudama was embarrassed to give the small bundle of parched rice to a King. However, the omnipresent Krishna insisted on taking the gift from sudama. Krishna then said "Sudama, any gift given to me with love is dearer to me than the ones given without love." Then he ate a handful of poha. Sudama was so happy with this gesture that he forgot all about his poverty and the purpose of this visit.

Image source: Amarchitra katha

Next morning Sudama reached back home, to find a mansion in the place of his humble hut. He lived the rest of his life with health. wealth and happiness. Following this legend, hindus offer Lord Krishna a small amount of parched rice mixed with jaggery and believe that Sri Krishna would bless them too.